Joanna's reviews
Review of Man Chui III
13 Apr 08, 16:51
Just average 
I know so many people who rave about this restaurant but I don’t rate it that much. It’s always heaving in there which means that if you do get a table it is very loud. The food is nice but nothing extraordinary – I think because everyone I know has said how amazing this place is I was expecting something superb, but I felt let down when I went there because I’d only rate it as average. It’s not very intimate as the tables are so close together you almost feel like you are dining with the people on the tables next to you. You also leave the restaurant stinking of oil from their kitchens which isn’t nice. I only go there if invited by friends or family for a special occasion, otherwise I’d usually give this a miss
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Review of Izgara Restaurant
13 Apr 08, 16:44
More than kebabs 
Fantastic restaurant – fresh, tasty food and good service. This restaurant is always busy and they operate on a reservation only basis on Friday and Saturday nights as they are so busy. Portions are generous, but note that if you order kebabs they do not come wrapped unless you ask them to be so prepared and your bread will be served on the side. The meze is amazing and the best way to find out what you like for your next visit as you get to try a bit of everything. If you want take away call them in advance to prepare your food so you don’t have to wait in the restaurant. This is part of a small chain of Izgara restaurants and I have eaten at another Izgara in Edgware, but the portions there seem to be smaller.
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Review of Express by Holiday Inn
13 Apr 08, 16:33
Impressive for budget hotel 
I stayed here for business and was very impressed as I had been told that it was very budget but found it to be better than what I expected. The room was very big, clean and bright and looked like it had been newly decorated. Couldn’t fault the buffet breakfast, everything was fresh and tasty. There isn’t any room service as the hotel doesn’t have it’s own restaurant, or at least it didn’t when I was staying there, but is so central that there are loads of places around to grab food. The hotel is conveniently located and you are in walking distance from Buchanan Street tube station and the shops – would definitely stay here again not only for business but also if I was there on short break.
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Review of Royal Lancaster Hotel
13 Apr 08, 16:27
Small rooms, breakfast not included & some staff unhelpful 
I stayed here for a wedding and the hotel carpark was full, they hadn't reserved any parking spaces for the wedding party. Staff were very rude to us, shouting at us to move on and go to a public car park, when we were trying to unload the car in the bay at the front of the hotel so that we wouldn't have to endure the 20 minute walk from the nearest public car park in our wedding outfits with all our luggage in the pouring rain. At check in they "lost" and "found" our room several times and it took about half an hour, if not longer to check in. A relative who had booked a room for herself, her husband and her 2 children was told that 4 people to a room was not allowed and they would have to put their 2 children in a separate room which would be more expensive than the room already booked - this was eventually sorted out by the father of the groom who painstakingly had to explain why it was unacceptable to expect parents to put 2 children in another room. We were told our room was slightly upgraded and wasn't a standard room but whatever was one up from that - our room was tiny and we would not have been happy had we paid to be upgraded as it seemed like a very standard room - there was nothing to indicate any kind of upgrade. Breakfast was not included in the room rate and was so expensive that we checked out without eating there. Would not stay there again unless the room rate was significantly reduced and breakfast was included in the rate.
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Review of Little Chef
13 Apr 08, 15:43
Re-live childhood roadtrip memories!
I think I screamed when we saw the Little Chef - we never see them any more and yet it was the best part of every road trip when I was a child. We had to stop and have the Little Chef breakfast despite the fact that it was evening and we had to eat dinner when we reached our destination a further hour or so drive away. A bit more modern than I remembered in decor and the menu has been updated to include ciabatta or pannini style sandwiches, but the famous all say breakfast and cherry pancakes are, thankfully, still on the menu. Not as tasty as I remember it, but then again I hadn't eaten in a Little Chef for almost 20 years - you could do a lot worse at a service station. Bring back Little Chef!
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Review of Toby Carvery
13 Apr 08, 15:12
Fantastic carvery and "bottomless" jars of custard!
Brilliant restaurant – either eat from the carvery where you choose your meat (usually turkey, beef or ham) and then help yourself to as much veg as you like from the buffet or pick a meal to order from the menu. You can go up and refill your plate as many times as you like from the buffet but you cannot have any extra meat from the carvery. They usually have deals on where you pay less if you go at certain times. What is heaven for me is the “bottomless” jars of custard served with most of the deserts – they bring a large, full jug of custard and will refill is as many times as you like, bliss!! I have taken one star off as the times I have wanted to order the steak pie off the menu rather than have the carvery they have always run out.
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Review of Dunelm Mill Shop
13 Apr 08, 14:44
Stylish and affordable
Great shop with loads of household furniture, decorations and accessories. Prices are very reasonable and the store layout and product displays are very inspiring and help you get ideas for your own home. There is also a lovely café so even if you are just window shopping it makes for a nice day out – I actually prefer doing this, browsing around the shop not needing to buy anything in particular and then stopping for tea and cake!
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Review of Cafe Delight
13 Apr 08, 14:33
Gone downhill over the years
This used to be a really nice café but since it changed ownership quite a few years ago (I think around the time Café Anglais extended) it has gone downhill. My first choice of café in this area would be Café Anglais across the road from here, but Café Anglais is so busy and popular we used (note USED) to come to Café Delight if there were no free tables in Café Anglais. The menu hasn’t changed much since it has changed hands but the quality of the food has really gone downhill. You have to wait a while for your food and the food is so greasy and quite often is over or under cooked. Also there used to be a lot of nice people who used to go to this café but now it is full of hoodies making you feel uneasy and uncomfortable. If you are thinking of coming here just cross over the road and go to Café Anglais even if you have to wait for a table there as the food, service and atmosphere is the best.
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Review of Cafe Anglais
13 Apr 08, 14:20
Café and a half!
Now this is a café and a half – if you need a proper fry-up then this is the place to go! This family run café has been here a long time and used to be just one unit but was so popular they took over the shop/unit next door too. It is always busy and in the summer they sometimes have chairs and tables outside. The food is first class, very good quality, all freshly made and lots to offer on the menu. If there isn’t a set breakfast that you fancy on the menu, make your own up. They also have very good home made pies and custard if you have enough room left after your main meal. If you don’t fancy a fry up, I recommend the liver and bacon or omelette and chips but everything on their menu is really good and have always had perfect food served up every time and have been going there for over 10 years.
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Review of Cafe Florya
13 Apr 08, 14:14
Proper fry-up
Lovely, family run café – friendly staff and food served quickly and all freshly cooked. Very good menu with lots of choices, but if there isn’t a set breakfast on the menu that you like the look of make your own up. I recommend the Yum-Yum breakfast or their omelettes and chips.
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